ACTIVITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES
  CONCERNING  SELECTED HIGH
       VOLUME CHEMICALS
        U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
           Office of Toxic Substances
            Washington, D.C. 20460
              FEBRUARY 1975

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EPA - 560/4-75-001
        ACTIVITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES

CONCERNING SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
              Office of Toxic Substances
        U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
               Washington, DC  20460

                  February 1975

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                             PREFACE

      This Report summarizes the nature and extent of many of the re-
search and regulatory activities of the Environmental Protection Agency
and other Federal Agencies directed towards fifty high  volume chemi-
cals.  The Report is intended to assist those persons and organizations
interested in anticipating  and avoiding future incidents involving major
chemicals.

      This Report was stimulated, in part, by the recent activities con-
cerning vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride, which are among the lead-
ing products  of the chemical  and  plastics industries.  The incidence of
a rare cancer,  angiosarcoma  of the liver, in polyvinyl chloride polymer-
ization workers led to an intensive investigation of the effects of exposure
to vinyl  chloride.   Specifically,  in  February 1974,  the Administrator
established the Vinyl Chloride Task Force  to  examine all aspects of
vinyl  chloride  released to the environment.   The Task Force Report,
Preliminary Assessment of the Environmental Problems Associated with
Vinyl Chloride  and Polyvinyl Chloride,  outlines the extent of the problem
and recommends a series of  research and  regulatory  actions.   This
experience has underscored  the need for greater attention to the high
volume  chemicals --to assess more fully potential hazards and to take
appropriate preventive measures at the earliest possible time.

      The chemicals  considered in  this  Report were identified in the
May 1974, issue of Chemical and Engineering News, with an indication
of 1973  production levels, and are presented on page ii of this Report.
Production level is only one of several factors which must be considered
in determining  the environmental  significance of a chemical, and there
is no  intention  to imply that the chemicals  considered  in this Report
represent the  highest priority chemicals  from the environmental point
of view.

      The Report is divided into summaries of the activities of the En-
vironmental Protection  Agency and those  of other Federal Agencies.
Subsequent charts and Appendices present in more detail the various
research and regulatory activities directed to the fifty high volume chem-
cals.  This description of Federal activities is undoubtedly not complete,
although most important activities  are believed to be included.  Finally,
the Appendices include a  brief section on selected high volume plastics
and additional tables.

      The Office of Toxic Substances prepared the Report, using contri-
butions from many specialists within the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy and other Federal Agencies.

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              SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
               (1973 Production in Billions of Pounds)

 1 Sulfuric acid                                        63.18
 2 Oxygen, high and low purity                         31.87
 3 Ammonia, synthetic anhydrous                       30.94
 4 Ethylene                                            22.41
 5 Sodium hydroxide,  100% liquid                       21.36
 6 Chlorine, gas                                       20.60
 7 Nitrogen, high and low purity                        16.38
 8 Sodium carbonate,  synthetic and natural              14.99
 9 Nitric acid                                         14.86
10 Ammonium nitrate, original solution                 13.89
11 Phosphoric acid, total                               13.00
12 Benzene, all grades                                 10.65
13 Propylene                                           8.76
14 Ethylene  dichloride                                  7.90
15 Urea, primary solution                              7.12
16 Methanol, synthetic                                  7.12
17 Toluene,  all grades                                  6.78
18 Ethylbenzene              .                          6.50*
19 Formaldehyde, 37%                                  6.17
20 Styrene                                              6.01
21 Xylene, all grades                                   5.90
22 Vinyl chloride                                       5.35
23 Hydrochloric acid, total                              4.78
24 Ammonium sulfate                                   3.97
25 Ethylene  oxide                                       3.88
26 Butadiene (1,3-),  rubber grade                       3.66
27 Carbon black                                        3.50
28 Ethylene  glycol                                      3.29
29 Sodium sulfate, high and low purity                   2.85
30 Carbon dioxide, all forms                            2.77
31 Dimethyl terephthalate                               2.69*
32 Cumene                                             2.67
33 Terephthalic acid                                    2.49*
34 Acetic acid                                          2.42
35 Calcium chloride,  solid and liquid                    2.40*
36 Cyclohexane                                         2.35
37 p-Xylene                                            2.32
38 Aluminum sulfate, commercial                       2. 27
39 Phenol,  total                                        2.25
40 Acetone                                             1.99
41 Ethanol,  synthetic                                   1.97*
42 Sodium tripolyphosphate                              1.83
43 Isopropanol                                         1.76
44 Propylene oxide                                     1.75
45 Acetic anhydride                                     1.55
46 Titanium dioxide                                     1.54
47 Vinyl acetate                                        1.48
48 Sodium silicate (water  glass)                         1.46
49 Acetaldehyde                                        1.40*
50 Acrylonitrile                                        1.35

^Estimate. Reprinted with permission from Chemical and Engineering News
 (Vol.  523 No. 18,  p.  113 5/6/74).   Copyright by the American Chemical
 Society.

                              ii

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                      TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE                                                     i

SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS                        ii

ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                  AGENCY                                    1

   Office of Water and Hazardous Materials                     1
         Water Pollution                                       1
               Effluent Limitations                             1
               Spills                                           1
               Drinking Water                                 2
               Ocean Disposal                                 2
         Toxic Substances                                     2
         Pesticide Programs                                   3

    Office of Air and Waste Management                        3
         Air Pollution                                         3
         Solid Waste Management                              4

    Office of Research and Development                         5
         Ecological Effects                                    5
         Health Effects                                         6
         Environmental Engineering                            6
         Monitoring                                           7

    Office of Enforcement and  General Counsel                   8

ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES                   9

    Food and Drug Administration                               9
    Department of Transportation                                9
    Consumer Product Safety Commission                       10
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health          10
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration                11
    National Cancer Institute                                    11
    National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences          12
    National Bureau of Standards                                12
    Center for Disease Control                                 13
    Department of Defense                                      13

APPENDICES

    A.  EPA Activities Directed to High Volume Chemicals      15
    B.  Activities of Other Federal Agencies Directed to
        High Volume Chemicals                                 23
    C.  Effluent Limitations Guidelines                          29
    D.  High Volume Plastics                                   31
                               n i

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   ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL, PROTECTION AGENCY.

Office of Water and Hazardous Materials

Water Pollution

     Effluent Limitations

     The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires EPA to set lim-
its on the amount of discharge permitted into navigable waters. Effluent
Limitations Guideline shave been promulgated for thirty industries which
produce  or use as a main ingredient  one  or more of the high volume
chemicals  considered in this Report.  The  industries involving several
of these  chemicals are the organic chemical, inorganic chemical, plas-
tics, fertilizer, soap  and detergent, rubber, and  phosphate industries.
The  Guidelines do not  establish limits for every chemical that may
appear in the  effluent; rather they  set parameters for  such factors as
pH, total suspended  solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),
and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In  some cases there are parameters
for specific chemicals as well, especially for heavy metals that may be
discharged.   The  number of parameters  required to be met depends
upon the content of the waste stream and may vary with each effluent
source.

    Section 307(a) of the Act provides that EPA shall publish  a list
of toxic pollutants  for which special  effluent  standards  are required.
The first list, issued on September 7,  1973,  designated nine substances
as toxic  pollutants; none of  the high volume chemicals were included.
It is  possible that some of the high volume chemicals may be regulated
under this  section in the future although there are no specific plans in
this respect at present.

     Spills

     Almost one-half of the listed high volume chemicals, twenty-three,
have been  proposed for designation as "hazardous substances" pursuant
to Section  311(b) (2)  of the Federal Water  Pollution  Control Act.  The
statute prohibits  the  discharge of a harmful quantity of any designated
substance into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoin-
ing shorelines, or  into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone.  EPA
plans to  implement a program to prevent spills,  accidental or  delib-
erate, of the designated materials.

      The Technical Assistance Data System (TADS) is an information
system developed primarily to provide assistance to Region and  Head-
quarters personnel  who  are responsible for removal or mitigation of
the effects of  hazardous  substances spills. This  information  is stored
on computers  and microfiche.  Technical  information on all but fifteen
of the high volume chemicals being considered is included in the TADS
file.   The  data collected for each chemical  incorporate  a wide variety

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of information on the physical,  chemical, biological, and toxicological
properties of each substance. In collecting the data considerable empha-
sis was placed on the adverse effects of each substance on water quality.
Chronic  effects data on all but seventeen of the high volume chemicals
are stored in TADS.  These data include chronic toxicity limits in parts
per million  for  aquatic life,  animals,  waterfowl, and plants.

      Drinking Water

      The recently enacted  Safe Drinking Water Act  authorizes  EPA
to promulgate  primary and  secondary standards  for public water sys-
tems.  Primary standards  will establish limits for contaminants to safe-
guard the public  health;  secondary  standards will apply  to the odor,
taste,  and appearance of the  water.

      The National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations, which
are scheduled  to be proposed  in March 1975, probably will not  include
maximum contaminant levels for any of the individual high volume chem-
icals being considered. However, consideration may  be  given to includ-
ing some of  the  high volume  chemicals or by-products resulting from
their manufacture, particularly in the organic chemical  industry, in the
revised Regulations to be promulgated in 1977.

      Ocean Disposal

      The Marine Protection,  Research,  and Sanctuaries Act of 1972,
as amended, prohibits the dumping of certain materials into ocean wa-
ters and strictly regulates, through a permit system, the ocean disposal
of other materials.  The Act provides the authority for fulfilling U.S.
commitments made at the International  Convention  on  the Prevention
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter.

     These regulations prohibit the  dumping of high-level radioactive
wastes;  materials produced for radiological, chemical, or biological
warfare; and, except as trace contaminants, organohalogen compounds,
mercury  and its compounds,  cadmium and its compounds, and various
oils and  greases.  For example, the disposal of ethylene dichloride and
vinyl chloride, both organohalogen high  volume chemicals,  would be
prohibited under  these regulations.

     The permit  system authorized by the  Act  strictly  regulates the
dumping of wastes containing other high volume chemicals. Each disposal
permit is granted  on a case-by-case basis specifying conditions under
which disposal may take place.

Toxic Substances

     The Office  of Toxic  Substances currently is studying four of the

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high volume chemicals,  in addition to its work on vinyl chloride. These
four are benzene, cumene, terephthalic acid, and titanium dioxide. These
efforts are directed towards clarifying whether there are health or envi-
ronmental risks associated with the chemicals, and analyzing the manu-
facture,  distribution,  use,  and disposal patterns of the chemicals.

Pesticide Programs

     Although approximately one-half of the high volume  chemicals under
consideration have some use in pesticide products,  this use represents
only a very small  quantity of the total production of these chemicals. *
Twenty-two of the high  volume chemicals are used as ingredients  in
pesticide products which are registered by EPA.  Prior to registration
data must be  presented to substantiate a product1 s efficacy,  chemical
and toxicological properties, and impact on the environment. Relatively
large quantities of three of the chemicals -- ethylene dichloride, ethyl-
ene oxide, and chlorine --are used as  sole components of pesticide pro-
ducts. Nineteen other high volume chemicals are used  either in limited
amounts as the sole  component  of a pesticide product or  in mixtures
with other chemicals.  In addition a number of  high volume chemicals
are used  as inert ingredients in pesticide formulations.

Office of Air and Waste Management

Air Pollution

     National ambient air  quality standards have been set for particu-
late matter,  sulfur dioxide,  nitrogen  dioxide, photochemical oxidants,
hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.   While  some of the high volume
chemicals may  occur as particulates, the particulate  standard sets a
limit only on  the total amount of particulate  matter regardless of its
components.

     Over one-half of the high volume chemicals listed are hydrocar-
bons and  other organic compounds.  However, the national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS) for hydrocarbons does not specifically regulate
these chemicals.   The hydrocarbon standard, which applies to all non-
methane hydrocarbons, was written as a guide to achieving the NAAQS


*In  1972,  estimated U.S. production of pesticides  was  1.276  billion
 pounds;  total  1972  production of the top fifty chemicals was approxi-
 mately 397 billion pounds.  Sources:  Production,  Distribution, Use  and
 Environmental Impact Potential gj_ Selected Pesticides, 1974, EPA 540/T^
 74-901  (p. 19),  and Chemical and  Engineering News, May 6, 1974 (vol.  52.
 no.  18, p. 11).                             	

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for photochemical oxidants. *  In preparing pollutant control  strategies
for areas that violate the oxidant standard,  the states have concentrated
primarily on controlling the more reactive organic compounds. However,
new evidence  showing the  importance of the less reactive hydrocarbons
suggests a refinement in the earlier approach that will result in control
of all major sources of  nonmethane hydrocarbons.  The precise manner
in which organics are controlled  varies  from state  to state.  Thus, any
of the organic  compounds  on the high volume chemical list  might fall
under a state  air pollution control regulation somewhere, if atmospheric
emissions of  that chemical were considered to contribute significantly
to photochemical oxidant formation.  But,  at this time, none of the or-
ganic compounds on the list are controlled  specifically.

      Section 111 of the Clean Air Act requires that EPA set emission
standards for  new or modified sources which may contribute significantly
to air pollution and  endanger public health or welfare.  Under this pro-
vision,  EPA has promulgated standards  for emissions of acid mist and
sulfur oxides from sulfuric acid plants.  New source performance stand-
ards have  also been established for  petroleum storage vessels at  oil
fields, refineries,  and other distribution points.  To assess potential air
pollution impacts, EPA has surveyed the  petrochemical industry to iden-
tify and characterize significant  sources of hydrocarbons.  As a result
of this survey, more in-depth studies are  underway on some  of the sig-
nificant  sources of hydrocarbons.   Included in these studies  are  the
manufacturing processes for carbon black, ethylene dichloride,  acrylo-
nitrile,  formaldehyde,  and ethylene  oxide.   At this  time,  EPA plans
to set standards to control hydrocarbons  from carbon black plants.  An-
other major area being studied for possible standard setting is the field
of organic solvent  usage (surface coating, dry cleaning,  graphic arts,
degreasing).

      EPA is currently  developing regulations under Section  112 of  the
Clean Air Act to limit vinyl chloride emissions from vinyl chloride mono-
mer plants and polyvinyl  chloride plants.   Control  of vinyl  chloride
from ethylene dichloride plants may  also  be included as a part of the
vinyl chloride program.

Solid Waste Management

      The Office of Solid Waste Management Program sis currently study-
ing industrial hazardous  waste practices  and  will examine  industries
in thirteen  categories.  Three of these categories  -- inorganic chemi-
cal, organic chemical,  and petroleum refining -- include  twenty-two of
the high volume chemical industries.  Analyses of the wastes generated


^Photochemical oxidants are  formed in tine atmosphere from reactions  in-
 volving hydrocarbons (and other organics)  and nitrogen  oxides  in   the
 presence  of sunlight.

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by each of the industries will be made,  especially of those wastes which
are believed to  pose a potential health  or environmental hazard upon
final disposal.   The available treatment and disposal technologies  for
the identified wastes will be assessed and cost estimates made for in-
corporating those technologies in existing systems.

      In addition, the Office has been conducting analyses of high volume
plastics within the framework of the hazardous wastes  practices assess-
ments described above.  Other activities  directed towards plastics  are
contained in Appendix A.

      An EPA workgroup has drafted a  policy paper  relating to indus-
trially generated sludges/residuals with particular  attention  to process
wastes,  hazardous  wastes,  pollution control residuals, and quantities
of thirty-five toxic chemicals in waste streams. Thirty-three industries
involving manufacture of almost all of the high volume chemicals have
been examined.

Office of Research and Development

      The following sections  present a number  of the  relevant EPA  re-
search activities in four different program areas:  ecological effects,
health effects,  environmental engineering, and monitoring.

      Ecological Effects

      Eight of the high volume chemicals are under study at EPA's lab-
oratory at  Duluth,  Minnesota,  in a program designed to develop infor-
mation on the range of chemical and physical conditions  in which aquatic
life can survive.  The studies test the acute and chronic toxicity of sev-
eral substances including ammonia,  chlorine,  formaldehyde,  ethylene
glycol, acetone, and  acrylonitrile.  Other  research encompasses  the
sublethal, physiological,  and reproductive effects of  the substances. The
dissolved oxygen requirements of  aquatic organisms and the  supersatu-
ration effects of nitrogen are also being investigated.

      The cycling of some of the substances through the  aquatic system,
including degradation, transport, transformation,  and  accumulation pat-
terns, is being studied at Athens, Georgia.  Two other chemicals, carbon
dioxide and sodium tripolyphosphate,  have been examined for their  eu-
trophication effects in Athens and in Corvallis, Oregon.

      The  Duluth laboratory  is examining sewage effluents  treated by
chlorine to determine whether  they are toxic to aquatic life.  The  re-
sults to  date indicate  that at least in some cases chlorinated sewage
effluent is fairly toxic for some distance below the outfall.

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      Health Effects

      Sulfuric acid  (as sulfuric acid mist) is one of  several chemicals
being investigated as an emission  from catalytic converters.  The pur-
pose of the research is to develop comprehensive, authoritative toxico-
logical data on these substances. Other studies involve the human health
effects of exposure to nitrogen oxides;  photochemical  oxides; and hydro-
carbons which,  when  released into  the atmosphere  in the  presence of
oxides of nitrogen and  sunlight,  lead to the  formation of photochemical
oxidants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide.

      Findings released by EPA on November 8, 1974, showed the pre-
sence in the  New  Orleans  drinking water supply of minute quantities
of sixty-six organic chemicals,  some  of which may be  hazardous to
human health.   Some  of  these  chemicals are on  the high volume list.
In response to these findings  EPA is investigating the role of chlorine,
as it is used in  treating sewage and drinking water, in  the  formation of
organic compounds.  Another study  has been initiated that will analyze
water supplies from representative cities to  determine how widespread
the problem may  be.   Techniques for preventing the chemicals from
reaching the water  or for removing them from the community system
are also being investigated.

      Environmental Engineering

      The production wastes of seventeen of the  high volume chemical
industries have been studied; two other high volume industries are sub-
jects of proposed studies.   These studies involve  development of tech-
niques  for the  treatment or disposal of wastes, with primary emphasis
on water effluents.

      A project,  financed jointly  by EPA and  the State of Louisiana,
will develop  techniques to treat biorefractories.  Biorefractories are
found in waste waters of chemical and petrochemical industries and can-
not be fully removed by biological means.  Some of the refractory indus-
trial wastes  found  in drinking water  whose  source  is the  Mississippi
River include such  high volume chemicals as acetone, benzene, ethyl-
benzene,  ethylene  dichloride, styrene,  and toluene.  These chemicals
had been discharged by plants located along the Mississippi River. Five
treatment techniques are now being tested to remove these biorefrac-
tories: ozonation, carbon adsorption, solvent extraction, anaerobic/aer-
obic treatment,  and air stripping.

      Another project, financed jointly by EPA and the Louisiana Chemi-
cal Association,  is  concerned  with  developing  techniques  to  eliminate
or, if this is not possible, to decrease significantly waste water effluent
from ammonia production plants.

      Through various research activities, a process of exhaustive chlo-

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rination  has been developed  as a means to convert hazardous toxic
chlorocarbon wastes into useful and marketable commodities. The pro-
cess, sometimes referred to as chlorolysis,  has been demonstrated by
Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany, in a project supported by EPA. This
method is appropriate for treatment of the residues produced during the
manufacture of the high volume chemicals ethylene dichloride and vinyl
chloride,  both chlorinated hydrocarbons.

      Monitoring

     A research capability exists for the qualitive detection of all of the
fifty high volume chemicals in water and air at relatively low concentra-
tions.  Reference methods have been published for some of these sub-
stances.    Those  methods applicable  to  water  have been published in
40 CFR 136.  The methods, for the most part, have been standardized
for use in surface waters and  are now being  evaluated for use in indus-
trial and other effluents. Methods for ammonia, chlorine, phenols,  and
some chlorinated organic compounds are included.

      With regard to reference methods for  substances  in air,  40 CFR
53 includes  reference and  equivalent methods for carbon dioxide and for
photochemical  oxidants  as measured by ozone, and  equivalent methods
for sulfur dioxide.  A reference method for particulates is published in
40 CFR 50.  40 CFR 60pertains to standards of performance for station-
ary sources, and includes methods for carbon dioxide, particulate emis-
sions, and sulfuric acid mist.   40 CFR 85 refers to mobile sources of
air pollution and sets emission standards for hydrocarbons, carbon mon-
oxides, and nitrogen oxides with testing methods for each. The foregoing
methods were published for specific applications and are  not necessarily
valid for other situations.   Improvements in  senstitivity  and ease of use
are being pursued.

      Methods exist for most  cations and anions of inorganic compounds
in both water and air. For water the detection methods for undissociated
inorganics and cations or anions, where valence state is of concern,  are
in very rudimentary stages of development.  The situation is similar for
substances  in air  samples although compounds may  be identified by the
very sophisticated method of electronspectroscopy for chemical analy-
sis.

      For organic  compounds  in air, gas chromatographic methods are
applicable.  For confirmation of identity, mass spectroscopy and infrared
spectroscopy are utilized.  In water, the same  techniques are used for
volatile organic compounds and for  organic  compounds which  may be
made volatile by  specific chemical  reactions.   In  general nonvolatile
organics are not readily determinable.

      Ongoing research is designed  to increase the EPA capability to

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isolate,  characterize,  and quantify chemicals in environmental media
and tissues.   Problems relating to sample collection and preservation,
critical to obtaining quantitative  data,  are being researched.   Multi-
chemical (mass spectrometry), multielement (spark source and plasma
emission spectrometry), and  multispeciation techniques are being ex-
panded as essential elements of any reasonable approach to the detection
of a broad spectrum of substances  in all substrates.

Office of Enforcement and General Counsel

      The National Pollution  Discharge  Elimination System (NPDES),
established  pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,  re-
quires industrial, municipal, and other point  source dischargers to ob-
tain permits which limit the discharge of pollutants into navigable wa-
ters.  The permits are based  on the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
are issued to thousands  of manufacturing companies,   including  those
producing   and  using the chemicals on the high volume  list.   Eventually
the permits program will be  administered  by the  States but the basic
requirements, such as final implementation  dates  and effluent limits,
are developed by EPA and applied nationwide.
                                 8

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         ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

Food and Drug Administration

      The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers  the  safety,
efficacy,  and toxicity of ingredients included as components of drugs
(human and veterinary), food  and food additives,  cosmetics, and pack-
aging for such products.  While a complete index of FDA activities related
to the fifty high volume  chemicals is not  currently available,  Appendix
B identifies  fourteen  chemicals which  were  involved  in  food additive
petitions pending before  the FDA as of June 30, 1974.

      In addition,  FDA  recently has proposed or is in the process  of
preparing three  significant regulations concerning high volume chemi-
cals.  Effective May  26, 1974, the  amount of chlorine and other chemi-
cal components in bottled water is being regulated (38 FR 226). A notice
of proposed  rule making that would regulate acrylonitrile as used in the
manufacture of soft drink bottles was issued  on November 4,  1974 (39
FR 213).  A  general restrictive regulation for vinyl chloride is pending.

Department of Transportation

      The Department of Transportation is responsible for regulating the
transportation of hazardous materials.  This includes requirements for
the preparation for  transportation -- construction of containers, pack-
aging, weight or volume marking, and other related factors.  The De-
partment  currently regulates the following as "hazard" classes:  flam-
mable and nonflammable,  compressed gases, flammable liquids, flam-
mable solids, oxidizer materials, organic peroxides, poison materials,
etiologic agents, radioactive materials, corrosives, and explosives. Thir-
ty-eight of the fifty high volume chemicals are currently regulated as
hazardous materials.

      Due to the hundreds of thousands of commodities shipped, it is gen-
erally not feasible  to  conduct  extensive studies or evaluations on an in-
dividual commodity basis. Research and development studies conducted
by the Department are directed towards a specific hazard class, a cer-
tain size container,  or  a  package or container to meet certain perfor-
mance requirementSc  Major  projects on specific chemicals are con-
ducted only on an emergency  basis,  such as an unanticipated incident
occurring during transport.

      The Transportation Safety Act of 1974 (P. L. 93-633) more clearly
defines the  scope,  responsibilities,  and enforcement authority of the
Department  and  is expected to result in significant changes in the regu-
lation and control of hazardous materials.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission

      Pursuant to the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison
Prevention  Packaging  Act,  the  Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has  responsibility for regulating a wide range of chemical pro-
ducts intended for household use.  Several of the high volume  chemicals
are subject  to CPSC regulations.  Household substances containing ten
percent or  more by weight of sulfuric acid (except in wet-cell storage
batteries) are subject to special packaging requirements. Sixteen of the
high volume chemicals are subject to labeling requirements for certain
concentrations and  conditions: nitric acid,  hydrochloric  acid,  phenol,
acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonia,  methanol, ethylene glycol, so-
dium carbonate,  sodium silicate, sodium tripolyphosphate, benzene, tol-
uene, xylene, formaldehyde, and acetone.  Also, on May 23,  1974,  CPSC
banned the use of  vinyl chloride as a propellant  or component of any
consumer product.

      In addition to its regulatory activities,  CPSC is supporting re-
search studies to determine the effects of exposure  to halogenated hydro-
carbon propellants.   A series of monographs  on  the  toxicity and syn-
ergistic effects of chemicals is being proposed to help assess the  safety
of future products.   Thirty-four product categories have been targets
for possible monographs including flame retardant chemicals, water sof-
teners, cleaning agents, and paints and varnishes.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

      Forty-three of the high volume chemicals  are included on the Toxic
Substances  List  published in  1974 by the National Institute for  Occupa-
tional Safety and Health (NIOSH). The purpose  of the  List is  to identify
"all known toxic substances" and to provide relevant data on the toxic
effects of various levels of exposure  to  those substances.  Substances
are designated as toxic if exposure to or misuse of the substances pro-
duces toxic  effects. These effects include acute, carcinogenic, neoplas-
tic, mutagenic,  teratogenic, and other adverse effects.

      NIOSH has published criteria documents for sulfuric acid,  toluene,
ammonia,  benzene, and vinyl chloride, and is  planning to publish docu-
ments for phenol,  chlorine,  phosphoric acid,  ethylene dichloride, xy-
lene, nitric acid, formaldehyde,  and sodium hydroxide.  A recent con-
tract with Stanford  Research  Institute for eighteen new  criteria docu-
ments will  include  documents for methanol,  isopropanol, and carbon
dioxide.  These criteria documents take into account  plant inspections
and critical  evaluations of all published literature relevant to  the task
of determining the extent of hazard produced by various exposure levels
of a  substance.  The criteria  documents recommend standards  of expo-
sure  which would minimize toxic effects in an occupational environment.

      Validation  studies for analytical methods used  for sulfuric acid,


                                 10

-------
chlorine,  benzene,  ethylene dichloride,  vinyl  chloride,  hydrochloric
acid, carbon dioxide,  and isopropanol are being conducted at the NIOSH
laboratory in Cincinnati.   The laboratory is working  on sampling and
chemical  analysis methods which use portable detection and analysis
devices for on-site readings in the plants.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration promulgates
regulations setting standards for the workplace, drawing on the criteria
documents prepared by  NIOSH.  At present,  there are standards for
twenty-seven of the high volume chemicals.  Some of these in addition
to vinyl chloride will undoubtedly be considered for revision in the near
future.

National Cancer Institute

      As set forth in  the  National Cancer  Institute (NCI)  publication,
Survey of Compounds Which Have Been Tested for Carcinogenic Activ-
ity,  almo'st one-half of the high volume chemicals were tested for car-
cinogenicity as of 1971. The tests must have been published in the scien-
tific literature  to have been included in  the survey.  All tests involve
animals which  were  examined for tumors  thirty days or more  after
initial exposure.  Research  published in  1972 and 1973 will be included
in Volume 7  of the survey,  which should  be available soon and perhaps
include  more of the high volume chemicals.  While  this publication is
a useful reference, the research reports are not always  critically evalu-
ated before being included and  should not be viewed  as necessarily au-
thoritative.

      NCI also  supports publications  of the International Agency for Re-
search on Cancer (IARC) which publishes a series entitled IARC Mono-
graphs on the  Evaluation of_ Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man.
The monographs summarize the evidence for carcinogenicity of selected
chemicals.   A working group of  experts  invited by the IARC  compiles
and  evaluates experimental data  on  the substances.   Their evaluation
is then  published in a monograph.   None of the early monographs con-
siders any of the high  volume chemicals;  however,  future volumes will
address some of them.

      Another publication series partially sponsored by NCI and IARC,
Information Bulletins on the  Survey of Chemicals Being  Tested  for Car-
cinogenicity,indicates that four  higE volume chemicals  are currently
being tested for carcinogenicity:   urea, styrene,  carbon black,  and ti-
tanium dioxide.   In addition, tests are planned for two  others:  sulfuric
acid and formaldehyde.  This information is current through May 1974.

      The Stanford Research Institute is working on a contract to deter-
                               11

-------
mine the levels of exposure of man to various substances.  These expo-
sure levels are one  of the  criteria used by  NCI in selecting chemicals
for bioassay studies.  At the present time,  NCI has about twenty con-
tracts  to assess carcinogenicity  through tests on rats, mice,  and ham-
sters.   Four hundred and fifty substances are involved in these bioassay
studies.  Three of these are on the list of high volume chemicals; many
others are derivatives of high volume chemicals.

National Institute  for Environmental Health Sciences

      The National Institute  for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
is conducting or supporting work on a variety of the fifty high  volume
chemicals.   In its grants program, NIEHS is examining  the  biological
effect of seven of the chemicals:  benzene, ethylene dichloride, formal-
dehyde, vinyl chloride, phenol, ethanol,  and titanium dioxide.

      Several high volume chemicals  have been tested in the past  for
mutagenicity (ethylene oxide, benzene, toluene, vinyl chloride, and pro-
pylene oxide).  Also, NIEHS partially supports the Environmental Muta-
gen Information Center at Oak Ridge which maintains a current bibliog-
raphy of all agents that have been tested for mutagenic potential.  Addi-
tionally,  the Environmental Mutagenesis  Branch is developing a con-
tract for mutagenic  testing in bacterial systems,  and  it is probable
that some of the high volume  chemicals will be evaluated in this  program.

      The Pharmacology Branch's research activities with the high volume
chemicals include animal studies on the following:   sulfuric acid (in-
halation effects of sulfuric  acid  mist),  oxygen (effects on metabolism,
biosynthesis), sodium hydroxide (inhalation effects),  styrene (metabolism
study), aluminum sulfate (toxic  effects  from  aerosols).   Benzene, p-
xylene, and phenol are being studied as part of an aerotoxicology  re-
search program on solvent toxicity.

      The Environmental Toxicology Branch is supporting a study to  de-
termine the toxicity of vinyl chloride on different species and to clarify
which common laboratory species  is best able to predict human toxi-
city.

National Bureau of Standards

      The National Bureau of Standards (NBS)  conducts research to im-
prove the accuracy of measurements.   Current work is underway to
develop a  method to measure formaldehyde in air and to calibrate such
measurements. Other work is concerned with measuring hydrocarbons,
such as benzene,  xylene,  and butadiene, and derivatives in water at  low
levels.  A low level chlorine monitoring instrument developed at NBS
is being tested and demonstrated at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sci-
ences.
                               12

-------
Center for Disease Control

      In the toxic substances area, the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
has been primarily concerned with heavy metals, such as lead and mer-
cury; the  chlorinated hydrocarbon, mirex; phenols, such as trichloro-
phenol; and other substances not on the high volume list. In the future,
CDC  plans to work on some of the listed organic compounds. In addition,
CDC has  been involved in various epidemiological studies including a
major effort directed toward vinyl chloride and two involving methyl com-
pounds done in conjunction with NIOSH.

Department of Defense

      The activities  of  the Department  of Defense (DOD) and  the  mil-
itary  branches involve various uses of the high volume chemicals-   For
example,  sodium hydroxide is used in "demilitarization"  of toxic chemi-
cals such as nerve gas-  Liquid oxygen is used as a  rocket propellant.
However,  research  sponsored by  DOD is required by Congress to be
related  to a military mission.   Thus,  few,  if any, research activities
are specifically directed towards the listed chemicals.

      An inventory of the environmental and related research efforts of
DOD is published annually by the Office of  the Director, Defense  Re-
search and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense.  The latest
reportp  "Area Coordinating  Paper  No»  42,   Environmental Quality",
was published in June  1974., Some current projects involve high volume
chemicals.   One is  designed to  develop instrumentation to quantify the
low concentrations of hydrochloric acid found in missile exhaust plumes.
Another deals with the problems  of handling and transporting liquid  oxy-
gen.

      The Department of the Army, Medical Research and Development
Command, currently is  supporting research efforts in toxicology, involv-
ing mammalian  and  aquatic animals.   The projects are  concerned  with
determining the effects  of chemicals that find  their way into waste  waters
from  the manufacture of Army ammunition.   Most  of the chemicals are
not on the high volume  list but are munition compounds such as trini-
trotoluene and nitroglycerin.

      Other activities sponsored by the Army that may involve high vol-
ume chemicals include  research to develop environmentally preferred
alternatives for solvents,  paints, and other  organic chemical products,
research  on sewage treatment systems, development of emission  con-
trols  for mobile equipment  and aircraft, treatment of wastewaters,  and
disposal of pesticides.

      The Army's  Research  and Development Office  has developed a
computer system for retrieving chemical information, the Chemical In-
                                13

-------
formation and Data System (CIDS), located at Edgewood Arsenal,  Mary-
land.  CIDS  is not  a document retrieval system per  se.   Rather, it
provides "pointers" to documents  by describing their contents in terms
of information  descriptors  and document  identification.  The informa-
tion is searched in terms used by chemists,  such as chemical formulae
and substructural  definitions.  Thus, searches can be made not only for
specific compounds,  but  also for compounds  within specified "families"
which contain particular  substructures  and/or activity groups.  There
are now 42, 000 chemicals programmed in  the system; information on all
but two of the  high volume chemicals  may  be retrieved directly  with
CIDS.
                               14

-------
APPENDIX A

-------
                                                   Appendix  A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
        Industries Covered by
         Effluent Guidelines
   Proposed for Designation
as "Hazardous Substance" under
Produce
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Projaylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
E thy Ib en-z ene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Aceta'te
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
or Use Chemical
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
FWPCA, 311 (b): 39FR164
X

X

X
X


X
X
X
X




X
X
X
x
X

X
X









X

x
.x
X
X



X

X

A
A
A
X
                         15

-------
                                                   Appendix  A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS

                  3                             4
       General Information in       Data on Chronic Toxicity
        Technical Assistance        on Aquatic Life in TADS
Data System (TADS)

Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
X

X
X
X
X


X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X



X
X
X
X
X
X


X
X
X
. X
X
X
X



X
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide

A
A

X
A
A
-A
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X

X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
                        16

-------
                                                   Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS

                         5                           6
                  Ocean Disposal              Under Study by
                                                  Office
(a)
prohibited
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Jlydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
(b)
strictly regulated
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
of Toxic Substances











X

Ethylene Dichloride X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X







Vinyl Chloride X
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X









X
X












X




                       17

-------
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
                                                   Appendix A
         Used in Registered
             Pesticides
           8
   May Be Regulated
under Air Standard for
Nonmethane Hydrocarbons
Sulfuric Acid
X

Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
X
X
X
X


Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
X

Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Diehloride
X
X

X

X
X
X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X


X

X

X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X


X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
X

Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene

X
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene


X
X
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
X

X
X
X
X


X
X


X
X
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate

A
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile

X
A
X
                        18

-------
                                                               Appendix  A
            EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS

                              9                                10
                     Included in Survey              Included  In  Hazardous
                Reports on Air Emissions from      Waste Disposal Studies
                   Petrochemical Industry

Sulfuric Acid	
Oxygen	X	
Ammonia   	'
Ethylene	X	X	
Sodium Hydroxide	
Chlorine	X	'
Nitrogen	X	
Sodium Carbonate	
Nitric Acid	
Ammonium Nitrate	
Phosphoric Acid	.
Benzene	_£	•
Propylene	X   	
Ethylene Dichloride	X  	.. 	.  .      	
Urea	X	
Methanol                                                       X
Toluene	
Ethylbenzene	•     	;	.-. •	••.  •
Formaldehyde                  X	
Styrene	X	X	     _
Xylene	;	;	X	
Vinyl Chloride   	X	'
Hydrochloric Acid	X.	
Ammonium Sulfate	                                       	
Ethylene Oxide                x                                x
Butadiene	.	  x	
Carbon Black                  X
Ethylene Glycol	•       	;	X	•  /
Sodium Sulfate	      X	
Carbon Dioxide	~	    '	
Dimethyl Terephthalate	\	__	.
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid             X
Acetic Acid     	     X	
Calcium Chloride                                               X	
Cyclohexane	
p-Xylene	•
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol                        x	;X	
Acetone	           x	
Ethanol                                                        x
Sodium Tripolyphosphate	.
Isopropanol	
Propylene Oxide	
Acetic Anhydride	
Titanium Dioxide	^_
Vinyl Acetate                 X
Sodium Silicate	;	X	
Ac e.t aldehyde	X	X	
Acrylonitrile	X	
                                   19

-------
                                                              Appendix  A
            EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS

                              11                            12
                  Research on Toxic  Effects          Research on  Waste
                       on Aquatic  Life            Treatment and Disposal
Sulfuric Acid	X
Oxygen	X	 _
Ammonia	_	X	X.	
Ethylene	
Sodium Hydroxide	                            •'  	
Chlorine    	X	
Nitrogen	X	
Sodium Carbonate     	•   	
Nitric Acid       .                                       '   X  '
Ammonium Nitrate	X
Phosphoric Acid	__	
Benzene	
Propylene	
Ethylene Dichloride                                         x
Urea	\	  x
Methanol
Toluene	
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde        	X	
Styrene	.       	.	X	
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride                         	           X
Hydrochloric Acid	X	
Ammonium Sulfate                                            X
Ethylene Oxide                                              X
Butadiene	
Carbon Black	•
Ethylene Glycol               A                             X
Sodium Sulfate	
Carbon Dioxide	=____=_=_	
Dimethyl Terephthalate	
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid	(proposed)
Calcium Chloride	
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene	
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol                    	X
Acetone            	X                              	
Ethanol	
Sodium Tripolyphosphate	•
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide	   X	
Acetic Anhydride	,	
Titanium Dioxide	        X	
Vinyl Acetate	
Sodium Silicate	
Acetaldehyde	
Acrylonitrile      	X.	(proposed)

                                    20

-------
                                                   Appendix  A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
13
Chemical or Ionic
Components Can be Identified
in Water
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbo'n Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
JC
14
Chemical or Ionic Components
Can be Identified in Air
by Gas Chromatographv (GC)
or Other Methods (X)
X
X
X
GC
X
X
GC
X
X
X
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
X
X
GC
GC
X
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
X
GC
GC
                        21

-------
APPENDIX B

-------
                                                    Appendix  B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
              HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
                  15                             16
        Pending FDA Approval           Considered "Hazardous
            as of 6/30/74                Material" by DOT
                                           40 CFR/170-180
Sulfuric Acid
. Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen



X

X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sodium Carbonate . . ...
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid





X
X



A
A


X
X
X
X
x
X
X

X
A
. X
A
A
A
A
X
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbo'n Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
X

X

X

X
X

X

X
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene

X
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid

X
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene


X
X
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
X


X
X
X
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride



X
A
A
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
X
X
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile

X
X
X
                        23

-------
                                                   Appendix  B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
              HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
                  17                             18
          Regulated by CPSC         NIOSH Toxic Substances List
Sulfuric Acid
X
X
Oxygen
Ammonia
X
X
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
X

X
X
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
X
X


X
X
X
X
X
X
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride

X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
E thy Ib en-z ene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X
X

X

X
X
X



X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
X

X
X
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isqpropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Ac et aldehyde
Acrylonitrile



X




X
X

X





X


X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
                         24

-------
ACTIVITIES ..OF .OTHER FEDERAL,. .AGENCIES.
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
19
NIOSH Criteria Document:
(a) completed; (b) in preparation;
(c) position on priority list
fa^ (b) (c)
Sulfuric Acid x
15
Appendix B
DIRECTED TO.
20
Included in NCI
Publication of
Carcinogenicity Tests as
of 1971
X
Oxygen
Ammonia X
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide X
Chlorine X
Nitrogen
19
325
27
76
291
X

X


Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid X
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid X
Benzene X
38
144
100
1
X


X
Propylene
Ethylene Bichloride X
Urea
Methanol X
Toluene X
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde X
Styrene
Xylene X
Vinyl Chloride X
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbofn Black
103

32
44
378
177
134
62
206
165

451
466
111
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide x
16

Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
281

Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
82

454
62
X
X
X

Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol x
Acetone
Ethanol
123
6
142
X
X
X
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol X
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
28
204
181
205
127
X




Sodium Silicate
Ac et aldehyde
Acrylonitrile
427
94
X

25

-------
                                                               Appendix B
            ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
                          HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
                              21                            22
              Being Tested for Carcinogenicity        NIEHS Health
                      as of 5/74 (NCI)               Effects Activities
Sulfuric Acid	tests planned	X
Oxygen	X_
A.rrmionia	\	
Ethylene	tests planned	
Sodium Hydroxide	X_
Chlorine	
Nitrogen	
Sodium Carbonate	.	
Nitric Acid	
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid	
Benzene                                                     X
Propylene	tests planned	
Ethylene Bichloride           X                             x
Urea	X	
Methanol                      x
Toluene	X	jt_
Ethylben-zene	.	 -    •	
Formaldehyde           tests planned	X_
Styrene	X                             X
Xylene	
Vinyl Chloride     	__=__	           X
Hydrochloric Acid	
Ammonium Sulfate                                       .     „
Ethylene Oxide         tests planned                        X
Butadiene	tests planned
Carbo'n Black                  X
Ethylene Glycol	
Sodium Sulfate	
Carbon Dioxide	          '	^	=	.
Dimethyl Terephthalate tests planned
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid	.   	
Acetic Acid	
Calcium Chloride	;	
Cyclohexane	X	
p-Xylene  	;	3f_
Aluminum Sulfate	•
Phenol                 teats.. Planned	X_
Acetone	_X	_____	
Ethanol	X	X_
Sodium Tripolyphosphate	
Isopropanol	
Propylene Oxide	tests planned	X_
Acetic Anhydride	
Titanium Dioxide	X	X_
Vinyl Acetate	
Sodium Silicate	
Acetaldehyde	                   •	
Acrylonitrile     	testa planr.0j   	

                                     26

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                                                   Appendix B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
              HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
                  23
           Included in DOD
  Chemical Information Data System
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid .
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X ...
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cycl ohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
                       27

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APPENDIX C

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                                                           Appendix C
             EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS GUIDELINES
   Almost all of the industrial categories for which Effluent Limitations
Guidelines have been promulgated involve one or more of the high volume
chemicals.   The chemical industries listed below either use or produce
a significant number and/or quantity of these chemicals.

   --  Organic  Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category
       Final regulations published 4/25/74, effective 5/13/74
       39 FR 81, Part II
       Development document:  EPA 440/ 1474-009-a

       Ethylene, propylene,  ethylene dichloride,  methanol,  ethylben-
       zene, formaldehyde,  styrene, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, bu-
       tadiene,  ethylene glycol, dimethyl  terephthalate,   terephthalic
       acid, acetic acid,  cyclohexane,  phenol, acetone, vinyl acetate,
       acetaldehyde.

   --  Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category
       Final regulations published 3/12/74, effective 5/13/74
       39 FR  49,  Part II
       Development document:  EPA 440/1-74-007-a

       Sulfuric  acid,  sodium  hydroxide, chlorine, sodium carbonate,
       nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride,
       aluminum sulfate, titanium dioxide,  sodium silicate.

   --  Plastics and Synthetics Point Source Category
       Final regulations published 4/5/74, effective 6/4/74
       39 FR 67, Part II
       Development document:  EPA 440/1 -74-010-a

       Styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile.

   --  Fertilizer Manufacturing Point Source Category
       Final regulations published 4/8/74, effective 6/7/74
       39 FR 68, Part III
       Development document:  EPA 440/ 1-74-001 -b

       Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, urea, ammonium
       nitrate,   ammonia.

   --  Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Point Source Category
       Final regulations published 4/12/74, effective 6/11/74
       39 FR 72, Part II
       Development Document:  EPA 440/1-74-018-a

       Sodium hydroxide,  sodium tripolyphosphate, methanol, sulfuric
       acid, urea,  ethanol, phenol.
                               29

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Rubber Processing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 2/21/74,  effective 4/22/74
39 FR 36, Part II
Development document:  EPA 440/1-74-013-a

Carbon black, styrene,  butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, pro-
pylene, sodium hydroxide.

Phosphate Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 2/20/74,  effective 4/22/74
39 FR 35, Part II
Development document:  EPA 440/ 1-74-006-a

Phosphoric  acid, sodium tripolyphosphate.
                        30

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APPENDIX D

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                                                          Appendix D
                   HIGH VOLUME PLASTICS

    While the focus of this Report has been on the high volume chemicals,
closely related Federal research and regulatory efforts have been direct-
ed toward  the  high volume plastics, including the following:

                                1973 Production (Billions  of Pounds)
    Thermo setting resins
        EpoxLes (unmodified)                     0.22
        Polyesters (unsaturated)                 1.05
        Urea resins                             0.87
        Melamine  resins                         0.17
        Phenolic and other tar acid resins        1. 39

    Thermoplastic resins
        Polyethylene
           Low-density                          5.80
           High-density                         2.64
        Polypropylene and copolymers            2.16
        Styrene and copolymers                  5.02
        Polyvinyl chloride and copolymers        4.56

           TOTAL                             23.88*

    In addition to  the hazardous waste assessment project  discussed  in
the main body of  this Report,  the  EPA Office  of Solid Waste Manage-
ment Programs is supporting efforts  to predict the potential problem
areas related to  the production, use, and disposal of plastics through
1980  including all of the high volume plastics. A directly related  study
of plasticizers  is  being  considered.    In addition,  some of the major
completed studies are:

    "incineration  of Plastics Found in  Municipal Waters",  Syracuse,
     University, August 28, 1972, EC-00304 (EPA).

    "The Beverage Container Problem:  Analysis and Recommendations",
     September 1972, R2-72-059 (EPA).

    "Disposal of Polymers  Solid Waste by Primary Polymer Producers
     and Plastics Fabricators", 1972, SW-34c (EPA).

    "Corrosion  Studies  in  Municipal  Incinerators", 1972,  SW-72-3-3
    (EPA).

    "Environmental Aspects of Plastics  Waste Industries", George L.
     Hoffman, June, 1972 (EPA).

    "New Chemical Concepts for Utilization of Waste Plastics",  1971,
     SW-16c  (EPA).

*Reprinted with  permission from Chemical  and Engineering News  (Vol. 52,
 No.  18, p. 12, 5/6/74).   Copyright  by  the  American Chemical Society.
                              31

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